Snowmobiling is often synonymous with freedom; we enjoy this feeling when riding our sled. We have favourite trails, common destinations, regular riding partners, and multiple plans for our winter trips. For the most die-hard snowmobilers, much of this planning is made before autumn turns to freezing weather. All of these thoughts together form an activity that makes us feel free from our everyday lives.
Planning my Annual Snowmobile Trip in New Brunswick
At my home in New Brunswick, I am considered the trip planner. My snowmobile buddies all make fun of my obsessive compulsiveness to plan the details and itinerary of our annual four-to-five-day trip in New Brunswick. But being the planner means you get to lead, and being the group leader means you get to listen to your friend’s opinions. It is a trade-off.
We do not attempt to ride as many kilometres as we used to. About 200 km to 240 km a day makes for a very relaxing trip. While some of us are morning people, naturally, their leader (a.k.a. me) is less likely to want to start before a slow coffee, at a minimum.
In more recent years, we have shortened our trips to three or four nights away. We all prefer lodges, cabins, or small motels versus the bustle of the most popular accommodations. That being said, a hot tub at a larger hotel can be really nice! Our trip spans about 800 km to 1,100 km overall. That represents not too many miles, but loads of time to stop for some sightseeing. And we plan to go to different destinations every season by throwing in a unique location we have not been to, or one we haven’t visited in a long time.
Riding Across the Ocean Ice Trail to Lameque Island
Our unique destination on this trip was to ride across the ocean’s sea ice to the island of Lameque, New Brunswick. We would be riding on Snowmobile NB’s Provincial Trail Route #19. Lameque is located in the most northeastern region of NB. The only thing further northeast would be Miscou. The latter is connected to Lameque by a DOT bridge for daily life; however, there are no trail bridges for off-road riding, and NB’s Trail #19 stops at the northern end of Lameque Island.
Lameque is surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In a straight line, or as “the crow flies”, it is approximately 39 km from Port-Daniel-Ouest on Quebec’s mainland. So, when you ride in Quebec’s Côte-Nord region on Trans Quebec #5, you are directly across from northern NB and this unique area of a snowmobile trail on the ocean’s ice.
Exploring Caraquet: The Capital of Acadia on Your Snowmobile
On the Acadian Peninsula of NB, where Lameque is located, French is the primary language. The city of Caraquet, which is located west of Lameque Island, is considered the Capital of Acadia.
“The history of Caraquet is closely intertwined with the sea, as is the history of New Brunswick’s Acadia, of which it proudly calls itself the capital. After the arrival of the first inhabitants from Europe in 1730, Caraquet really began to develop in 1758 when 34 Acadian families—fleeing the Deportation of 1755—led by Alexis Landry settled in the Sainte-Anne-du-Bocage area.”
How to Access New Brunswick’s Snowmobile Trail #19
From the city of Bathurst, Trail #19 can be ridden eastward all the way into the Acadian Peninsula. It is the primary provincial trail running west-east of the Peninsula. Provincial Trail #23 is not an excellent west-east option. From the hotels in Bathurst, the approximate trail distance via Trail #19 is 150 km. This will take you to the intersection of trails #19 and #48, which is the beginning of the ocean’s ice crossing.
From the city of Miramichi, you would then follow Trail #48 to the north. This intersection of trails #19 and #48 finds itself 140 km away from the hotels in town. While you have other options out of Miramichi, like Trail #52, riding north on #48 will bring you to the ultimate destination.
The final trail by land—from the intersection of trails #19 and #48—to the beginning of the ocean ice crossing is another 12 km. As you ride down the bank to have your ski tips touch the sea ice, Lameque Island is now 9 km in the distance. The trail is marked as a corridor all the way.
9 Km of Freedom… Under the Right Conditions
The Acadian Peninsula’s weather is known for consistent winds, with very little mercy. So when the snow falls here, the wind most often takes it away from the open areas. Trail #19 between Shippagan and Lameque is very open. This ocean ice trail cannot safely be ridden every day because of a lack of visibility. But, on the right day, it will deliver an unforgettable and truly unique memory in your snowmobile destinations. You will experience true freedom… when the weather permits it.
Is the Ocean Ice Safe for Snowmobiling?
Yes. The local snowmobile club—Motoneige Péninsule Acadienne (Lameque #75)—does not mark the ocean trail until the ice is sufficiently thick. When the markers go up, the trail is open for riding.
Ocean water freezes just like fresh water, but at lower temperatures. While the latter freezes at 32 ºF (0 ºC), the salty water in the ocean freezes at about 28.4 ºF (-2 ºC).
The Canadian Red Cross makes the following statements on its website:
- The colour of the ice indicates its strength and quality. Blue ice is the strongest, while grey ice is unsafe.
- Avoid ice that has recently frozen, thawed, and then frozen again.
- Ice thickness should be a minimum of 15 cm for skating, walking or skiing in small groups, 20 cm for larger groups, such as skating parties, and 25 cm (or 10 in.) for snowmobiles or ATVs.
The Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations, under their Ice Smart Safety Tips, reminds us that ice is constantly changing in response to weather and water conditions. The recommended ice thickness for travel over ice by a snowmobile is 5 in., or approximately 15 cm to 20 cm.
Snowmobile Trails and Services in the Acadian Peninsula
The trails by land on the Acadian Peninsula offer every kind of service snowmobilers need. On my group’s trip there, we found a very welcoming stop for lunch at Bertrand, Chez Yogi. When it is not serving meals for snowmobilers or ATV riders, this place is a maple sugar operation. We had our picture taken after our hearty lunch as a memento of our day’s ride.
At the end of our day, we stopped in Neguac for the evening. The small motel off Provincial Trail #48, at the end of Trail #540, is Motel Beauséjour. We were also close to a fuelling station at this location. In my travels, this location has been one of the best restaurants for seafood in all of New Brunswick, Chez Raymond.
The Future of Snowmobile Trails: Will the Ocean Ice Trail Last?
Forever, I hope. However, with our winters becoming warmer each year and the loss of many days “below 0 [ºC]”, losing Trail #19’s access to Lameque may become an unfortunate reality. Will the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence continue to provide enough in the long run?
So I encourage you to add this trip to your snowmobile trips and plans. On the right day, riding to the Island of Lameque is a special experience. Travelling on ice over the ocean creates a very wonderful moment. It is a reminder of why we love to ride snowmobiles.
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